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Cameroon 1-2 Denmark

Hello World Cup. I'm Chris Whyatt. Liked you for a very long time. What? No, of course not. You'll never lose your magic.

17:33Commentary

But we're certainly getting to know both sides of your personality. Greetings all. The story of the past few hours - aside from the failure of Africa's biggest hope Ghana to break down 10-man Australia - is of two brilliantly-gifted but hugely-frustrated strikers who have been struggling to bite their lip. They'd probably tear their hair out if they...

17:37Commentary

So, England's Wayne Rooney has now apologised for sarcastically criticising fans who booed England off the pitch after their abject 0-0 draw with Algeria: "I said things in the heat of the moment out of frustration." Forgiven and forgotten?

17:45Commentary

Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka, on the other hand, is without remorse. And on a plane to Paris. Yup, he's been kicked out of France's World Cup squad for refusing to apologise after insulting coach Raymond Domenech - who, to be fair, I've never heard anyone in world football pay a compliment.

17:48Commentary

Word has it that Anelka insulted Domenech with a torrent of unpublishable comments when taken off at half-time as France lost 2-0 to Mexico (abject again the best description) on Thursday. "The comments made by Anelka are totally unacceptable for French soccer," the French Football Federation said in a statement. "And the values they defend." Will his Le Sulk tag now resurface?

17:58Commentary

Do get in touch. Rooney forgiven? Anelka justified? Anything else on your mind... there's a 606 page up and running; you can also fire me a text to 81111 (in the UK) or +44 7786200666 (if you're 'worldwide'). Mulling over my team of the 2010 World Cup thus far at the minute... Not easy.

Saw TV footage of Joe Cole mingling with England fans in Cape Town earlier. Remarkably, I'm sure he was playing cards with some of them. As if in his local working man's club. Guess he's had a lot of time on his hands. Anyway. The inquest into France and England's woes will rumble on. And on. But fear not. Yet another game is flashing us a toothy grin on the World Cup conveyor belt...

18:33Commentary

And it's Cameroon against Denmark in Pretoria. Winner stays alive in Group E, loser goes home. A draw not much use for either. No Roger Milla, no Jesper Olsen. But hold your horses. We have got Samuel Eto'o. And Jesper Gronkjaer! With that, here's your man in South Africa...

18:37Commentary

Nil points (you have to do it in a French accent): that's the sum total of what Cameroon and Denmark achieved from their first games in the World Cup. Tonight, defeat for either in Pretoria would leave their World Cup hopes dangling by the slimmest of all threads. If you’d be so kind as to refresh your page, as if by magic you’ll be back in Johannesburg with Jonathan Stevenson. Evening all.

18:39Commentary

And so to an intriguing match-up between two teams who lost their openers. Denmark were slaughtered in their homeland (sound familiar?) for the way in which they lost to the Dutch, while Cameroon have been in disarray since arriving in South Africa, not helped by a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Japan. Will they both retreat into their respective shells, or will they come out all-guns blazing? We’ll find out soon.

“What will we see in Pretoria tonight - the fear of losing or the desire to win? Cameroon know that defeat means elimination from the tournament, but with so much talk of discord in their camp it will be fascinating to see whether they can put on a performance. Relatively speaking, quite a mild evening.”

18:48Commentary

Any England/France/add country as appropriate fans still got steam coming out of their ears? Any Algerians been partying all day like it’s 1999? Any Cameroonians or Danes desperate to brief the world on their innermost thoughts? OVER HERE, OVER HERE! Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide) - have you put the numbers in your phone yet? Also hit me with a Tweet @Stevo_football and join in the fun on the 606 page as well.

606

From Jinadine: "Stevo, who do you think would win if France played England? That would be an awful game to watch, based on their performances so far in this tournament."

I don't think football would be the winner.

18:56Commentary

These are two teams short on confidence and short on results. Cameroon are winless in their last eight games and have lost their last three - they last won on 17 January, beating Zambia 3-2 at the African Cup of Nations. Denmark have lost their last three as well, without even so much as scoring a goal. It might not be free-flowing and flair-filled, if I may be so bold as to mark your card.

18:58CommentaryCameroon v Denmark team news:

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen makes three changes to the team which lost the opening game against Japan. Arsenal's Alex Song, a surprise omission from Monday's starting line-up, starts, as do Geremi and Achille Emana. Denmark make two changes, although Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner does start despite coming off after an hour in the 2-0 loss to the Netherlands. The country's second all-time leading goalscorer Jon Dahl Tomasson and former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer start in place of Thomas Kahlenberg and Thomas Enevoldsen.

SMS

Nathan, Bucks: "So glad to see Tomasson back in the starting line-up. He only needs two goals to break the Danish scoring record, but he hasn't scored since 2008!"

From Andrew_Francis: "I need something to help me fall in love with the World Cup again. Last night was like when Alice cheated on me in the 3rd year."

19:13CommentaryCameroon captain Samuel Eto'o:

"I just want to say one thing. We've never had a fight in the national team. I'm one of the people who knows these things, and there's never been a fight within the Cameroonian team. I just wanted to put to bed any possible rumours that might have been running around."

19:15CommentaryDenmark keeper Thomas Sorensen:

"We have a good team, there were so many good things from the first match and things to improve on but we've only just started. We expect strong, good individual players from Cameroon, I don't think we're going to be surprised because we believe they play in much the same way as other African teams."

SMS

Deena, South Africa: "At the stadium - the teams might be short on confidence, but the crowd is raring to go!"

19:21Commentary

Thanks for getting in touch, Deena - from our pictures, it does indeed look like a cracking atmosphere inside Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Teams should be out shortly if the other 25 games are anything to go by.

"A pretty full stadium, a great sense of anticipation and two teams who need to get a result. Cameroon and Denmark both look to have a better balance than in their opening games. All the required ingredients, surely?"

19:25Commentary

The teams walk out in Pretoria and we're a brace of national anthems away from kicking off.

19:28Commentary

Did you sing along? Well done. The players shake hands and this Group E clash is about to get under way.

19:30KICK-OFFCameroon v Denmark

Referee Jorge Larrionda from Uruguay blows his whistle long and loud over the vuvuzelas and we are under way at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

2 minsCommentary

Good start from Cameroon, who, don't forget, are out of the Word Cup if they lose - Benoit Assou-Ekotto has an early 18-yard drive blocked by a Danish defender.

5 minsCommentary

Samuel Eto'o has the weight of a nation on his shoulders tonight. Back playing in a central striking role, he fires wide from just outside the Denmark box - expect him to be in the action.

7 minsCommentary

Chance. Dennis Rommedahl is sent through down the Denmark right - though he looks a fraction offside - but when he gets into the area he blazes a right-foot shot over the crossbar.

8 minsCommentary

According to our friends at BBC Radio 5 live, Cameroon have never scored a goal in the first half hour of a World Cup game. Oh I say.

10 minsGOALCameroon 1-0 Denmark

They have done now, but heaven knows what Denmark were playing at. Simon Kjaer plays a ludicrous blind pass straight to Achille Webo and his ball into the box finds that man Samuel Eto'o in space - he takes a touch and fires clinically past Thomas Sorensen.

"There is an undeniable frisson of excitement every time Samuel Eto'o is in possession of the football. Oh, he has just scored - and those excitement levels have hit overdrive."

13 minsCommentary

There is only one team in this game - another cross into the Denmark box finds its way back out to Achille Emana on the edge of the area and he spanks a low right-foot shot narrowly wide of Thomas Sorensen's right-hand post. One-way traffic.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby

"It's like a home game for Cameroon. Denmark have started nervously and the goal won't have helped. Cameroon look together, they're up for this and they've started very well. Denmark are second to everything."

16 minsCommentary

Our friends at Infostrada Sports tell us that Samuel Eto'o has just joined some esteemed company. He has joined Roger Milla, Francois Omam Biyik and Patrick Mboma and become only the fourth Cameroon player to score in multiple World Cups."

17 minsCommentary

Really nice approach play from Denmark - they knock it around beautifully, it's their best spell of the game by miles, but Jesper Gronkjaer's right-foot shot is deflected behind. From the corner, Gronkjaer heads wide at the far post.

20 minsCommentary

Denmark are definitely raising it. Lars Jacobsen plays a sharp pass into the box from the right and Jon Dahl Tomasson is just beaten to it by Cameroon goalkeeper Hamidou Souleymanou.

SMS

From Anon: "I'm an England fan with an Algerian boyfriend. We decided it would be best for our relationship if we didn't watch the match together. But he nearly ruined this by calling me after the match. A shopping trip later, though, I've forgiven him!"

24 minsCommentary

It's a pretty good game, this one. Denmark are giving as good as they are getting after a slack start, and both teams look like they want to try and win it.

28 minsCommentary

Maybe I spoke too soon - it's gone a bit dead. The Cameroon fans in the crowd are keeping everyone entertained, though, with their dancing and singing and general lively behaviour.

606

From IONJAY: "Is anyone else sad that the group stages are almost over?"

"Don't wish to sound like some kind of moaning old bloke, but does this game need a few Mexican waves? Denmark are enjoying some reasonable possession as they claw their way back into this intriguing contest after their dreadful opening."

32 minsCommentary

Does the commentator's curse always have to work? Nothing has happened at all in the past eight minutes. I'm truly sorry.

33 minsGOALCameroon 1-1 Denmark

Just seen the pass of the World Cup so far. If it was Simon Kjaer's fault that Denmark fell behind, it's down to him they're level. He plays a stunning 50-yard pass from centre-back to Dennis Rommedahl on the right and his pace enables him to slip over a cross for Nicklas Bendtner to slide in inside the six-yard box. They deserve that, Denmark.

36 minsCommentary

Cameroon's Enoh Eyong has a facial problem and he needs to go off and get some treatment. Geremi plays a first-time volleyed pass from their right and it's so close to being perfect for Pierre Webo, who just cannot get a touch.

SMS

Nick in Liverpool: "In response to IONJAY: The group stages might nearly be over timewise but in terms of excitement, with no teams yet knocked out, I think there's still lots more to come."

41 minsOFFSIDE

Geremi swings over another fine cross from the Cameroon right, but Thomas Sorensen does well to pluck it out of the air. Simon Kjaer tries to play another outrageous ball from the back, but Jesper Gronkjaer is offside.

42 minsCommentary

Denmark should be ahead. Nicklas Bendtner slips Dennis Rommedahl through but after he is denied, Jon Dahl Tomasson's shot is blocked by a Cameroon defender.

43 minsHITS THE WOODWORK

Amazing action. Denmark's defence goes missing twice in quick succession as Samuel Eto'o slams one shot against the post from inside the box and then moments later Achille Emana bursts past two defenders only to see one shot hit Thomas Sorensen and fire the rebound wide. It's so end-to-end.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby

"It's a great game, full of mistakes and the way Denmark crafted the equaliser was absolutely beautiful. It has been incredible, end-to-end stuff."

20:17HALF-TIMECameroon 1-1 Denmark

There was a spell when it wasn't super lively, but that didn't last long. Fabulous 45 minutes of football with two teams trying to attack. More of the same, please.

I'm being told Cameroon's goal wasn't Simon Kjaer's fault, but was a mistake by Christian Poulsen, in which case Kjaer has had an even better game than I'd given him credit for.

SMS

Jane, Brussels: "My Danish boyfriend, Bendt, is getting really nervous now. But what a great match so far!"

20:33CommentaryCameroon 1-1 Denmark

Back under way and there are changes, Jean Makoun coming on at the break for Eyong Enoh for Cameroon and Daniel Jensen on for Denmark for Martin Jorgensen.

46 minsCommentary

Great chance right away for Cameroon - Stephane Mbia getting the run on his marker from a corner but he doesn't get his header quite right, it comes off his shoulder and Thomas Sorensen tips over.

48 minsCommentary

What a tackle. A cross from the Cameroon right is missed by about three Denmark defenders and at the back post Benoit Assou-Ekotto is about to score, only for sub Daniel Jensen to get in a brilliantly timed block.

49 minsYELLOW CARD

Bit of North London rivalry going on there as Sebastien Bassong pulls back Nicklas Bendtner, is booked, and concedes a free-kick about 23 yards out.

50 minsCommentary

Daniel Agger's free-kick is hopeless and hits the wall, but it comes back to the superb Simon Kjaer who hits a fine 25-yard drive that Hamidou Souleymanou does well to tip over.

606

From Galaxy-man: "Geremi is having a brilliant game. Good to see an old timer still going strong. Does he still play for Newcastle?"

No. Ankaragucu.

54 minsCommentary

It is a cracking game of football, could easily be 3-3 by now. Remember, if Cameroon lose, they are out of the World Cup. If Denmark lose they aren't out, but they're not far off.

55 minsCommentary

Simon Kjaer heads the back of a Cameroon player's head and needs a bit of treatment, he's a bit groggy. But he'll be fine to continue as both sides go in search of another goal.

On Twitter:"Temperature dropping alert. And my TV has broken. Not what you'd call an all-time great 10 minutes."

59 minsCommentary

Cameroon are having the better of it at the moment, but apart from a skied Samuel Eto'o shot from an angle, they haven't created anything of note. I'm sure that won't stay the same for long.

61 minsCommentary

Told you. Benoit Assou-Ekotto sends over a cross from the left and Pierre Webo turns and shoots at Thomas Sorensen.

61 minsGOALCameroon 1-2 Denmark

Well, well, well. It's gone deathly quiet in Pretoria, and Cameroon's World Cup hopes are in serious trouble. A ball out to the right for Denmark catches Dennis Rommedahl on the run and his pace is too much for Jean Makoun to handle - he lets the winger run past him in the box and from eight yards he bends a left-foot shot around Hamidou Souleymanou and into the corner.

63 minsCommentary

A cross from the Cameroon right produces a glancing header from Pierre Webo that flashes past the far post.

SMS

Mark in Denmark: "In my apartment in Slagelse, medium town in Denmark. Outside they have big screen tv and I’d say 4000 Danes are dancing in the rain. They do love their football!"

66 minsSUBSTITUTION

The Danes make a change as Thomas Kahlenberg comes on for Jesper Gronkjaer. That, moments after a low ball from the Cameroon right finds its way through to Jean Makoun only for the Lyon man to blaze haplessly over. Not a good sub appearance so far.

Nice build-up play from Cameroon, but there is no end product as Achille Emana slices horribly wide from the edge of the Denmark area. Amazingly, Cameroon have only one win in their last 11 World Cup games.

20:57Commentary

Good news for England: "A late equaliser by captain Faye White helped England come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Spain and leave them in a good position to qualify for a World Cup qualifying berth."

71 minsCommentary

That was almost that. Jon Dahl Tomasson curls goalwards and it looks as though the points are Denmark's, but Hamidou Souleymanou pulls off a fabulous reaction save to keep Cameroon in the World Cup.

72 minsSUBSTITUTION

Cameroon take defender Sebastien Bassong off and send on striker Mohamadou Idrissou.

606

From BlueAcrosstheWorld: "After all the madness, I still don't know it's only 1-2. This game should have many more goals."

74 minsCommentary

More poor finishing as Alex Song dummies past one Denmark challenge on the edge of their box only to whack over the bar. Got to hit the target, got to.

75 minsYELLOW CARD

Stephane Mbia is booked for a late challenge on Thomas Kahlenberg. We're heading towards squeaky bum time in this one.

77 minsCommentary

What a brilliant save that is - Achille Emana races through on to a through ball and hammers a low shot towards the far corner from just insid the area, but Thomas Sorensen does wonderfully well to keep it out.

78 minsSUBSTITUTION

That really was a stunning piece of goalkeeping. Cameroon take Pierre Webo off and send on 18-year-old Vincent Aboubakar.

"This is pure drama all the way. What we are witnessing is high-level World Cup desperation."

SMS

Amber, Brussels: "We are in the Matonge area in Brussels and the Cameroonian fans are practically silent... nail-biting moments here!"

82 minsCommentary

My word this is tense. Achille Emana holds the ball up inside the Denmark area and lays it off to Vincent Aboubakar, the 18-year-old's goalbound shot hitting defender Christian Poulsen who was lying on the floor.

85 minsCommentary

Almost unbearable in Pretoria as Cameroon launch balls into the Denmark box. There is some brave defending going on, but can the Danes hold on?

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby

"The Danish defenders are overworked and they looked tired, they're really suffering at the moment."

86 minsCommentary

Denmark take Jon Dahl Tomasson off and send on Jakob Poulsen. Thomas Sorensen is booked for taking a goalkick while the sub was going on.

87 minsCommentary

Cameroon are having a right old go, but can they produce one more chance to keep their World Cup deam alive?

87 minsYELLOW CARD

Simon Kjaer is shown a yellow card for a foul on Vincent Aboubakar and he will miss their last group game against Japan.

89 minsCommentary

Samuel Eto'o forces a corner. If Cameroon score, the place will erupt.

90 minsINJURY TIME

Nope, not this time. We're into injury time at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium and the fourth official reckons we're due about three minutes. Can this game of twists and turns provide late drama?

90 minsCommentary

Another ball pumped into the box and another good claim from Thomas Sorensen. His role in the Cameroon goal apart, the Stoke keeper has been magnificent tonight.

21:21FULL-TIMECameroon 1-2 Denmark

Summary of events: Netherlands are the first team into the last 16 of the World Cup and Cameroon are the first team to be knocked out of the tournament.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby

"It was a really, really entertaining game. Denmark had their share of luck at both ends, but they both could have scored more goals tonight."

21:24Commentary

As the Danes in the crowd celebrate jubilantly, the Cameroon players and management almost to a man went down the tunnel, heads bowed. Captain Samuel Eto'o was one of the only ones to applaud his fans in the crowd.

606

From darkanddom: "That is football for you - you waste chances you lose. Great game though. I am gutted for Cameroon but hey, fair play to Denmark."

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby

"Cameroon probably didn't deserve this result, they've played their part in a highly entertaining game. The World Cup needed a game like this, because it was unexpected - they're not two highly regarded international teams. They will be dancing in the streets of Copenhagen tonight."

21:32Commentary

Before today, Denmark had never come from behind to win a World Cup game. They now take on Japan in Rustenburg on Thursday at 1930 BST, a game you can see live on BBC One, to see who will join the Netherlands in the last 16.

Twitter

From PaulSeaton: "Kjaer's pass was extraordinary, and Rommedal lit the blue touch paper, what a run and cross (and finish?). Sublime World Cup goal!"

21:40Commentary

Don't forget to join Chris Bevan on Sunday for World Cup Day 10 build-up and then the first game of the day, Slovakia v Paraguay from Bloemfontein. As if any of us have got anything remotely better to do with our lives - imagine?

606

From 2001Oysters: "I feel incredibly disappointed for Cameroon after that match. That was one of best and most entertaining performances I've seen since the tournament started."

Denmark came from behind to defeat Cameroon in a pulsating match that ensured the African team became the first to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.

It was a game in which both teams squandered numerous chances - but the Indomitable Lions were undoubtedly the most profligate, particularly after they fell behind and chased the goal that they so desperately needed.

Denmark have qualified from the group stage at all three previous World Cup appearances - and Morten Olsen's team will face Japan in their final game knowing a victory will take them into the next round.

And the result also ensured that the Netherlands - 1-0 winners over Japan earlier in the day - will qualify from Group E.

It did not look as though the experienced - if aging - Scandinavians would leave with three points after Cameroon tore into them in the opening minutes.

The African side had taken an early lead through Samuel Eto'o, who later hit the post, after a horrific error from Christian Poulsen.

But Nicklas Bendtner equalised from close range before veteran Dennis Rommedahl ghosted beyond substitute Jean Makoun after the break to leave Cameroon pointless after two games.

Cameroon were simply awful as they lost their opening match against Japan but in the minutes after kick-off on Saturday they looked strong, enthusiastic and focused.

There had been much talk of a rebellion against the tactics of coach Paul Le Guen, particularly after Eto'o played on the right and Alex Song was left out altogether against the Japanese.

But Song was restored to the Indomitable Lions midfield and had a fine game in a deep role, while Eto'o played in a more central position and took just 10 minutes to put his team in front.

Denmark, who lost to the Netherlands in their opening match, started nervously and gifted Eto'o his goal when Poulsen's awful square pass close to the edge of his own penalty area was intercepted by Pierre Webo.

He slipped the ball to an unmarked Eto'o and the Cameroon skipper had time to slot the ball beyond Thomas Sorensen from 14 yards.

Eto'o had already shot wide, while Emana went close with a rasping low strike shortly after the opener as Le Guen's team threatened to take a firm grip on the contest.

Denmark, with Jesper Gronkjaer, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Rommedahl playing behind Bendtner, simply could not keep hold of the ball during the opening 15 minutes, but they slowly edged their way back into the contest.

Rommedahl and Gronkjaer had both failed to hit the target with shots from wide positions but it would have been difficult for Bendtner to miss as he drew Denmark level after 32 minutes.

The unmarked Arsenal striker stabbed home Rommedahl's low cross from six yards but it was the sensational raking 60-yard cross-field pass from the impressive Simon Kjaer that really caught the eye - and caught Benoit Assou-Ekotto out of position.

Both teams might have scored again before the break as some atrocious defending ensured the game became an increasingly enjoyable spectacle.

Song blocked a goal-bound strike from Tomasson, while Eto'o struck the post with a drilled effort before Sorensen denied Emana after the Cameroon forward had been allowed to easily skip his way through the centre of the Danish defence.

The match continued to seesaw after the restart, with Sorenson tipping over a header from Stephane Mbia and Kjaer shooting inches over the crossbar.

But a swift Danish counter led to the game's next goal, with Rommedahl showing a burst of space to easily skip past substitute Jean Makoun before precisely slotting the ball across Hamidou Souleymanou and into the bottom corner.

Makoun had been covering for right-back Assou-Ekotto, who seconds earlier had been involved in a break almost led to a Cameroon goal.

Stung into action, the African side responded, with Webo heading wide and Makoun shooting over.

Denmark held their shape and showed a steel to preserve their lead but suffered a blow late on when Kjaer picked up a booking that means he will miss the match against Japan.

Even so, it was Olsen's team who were celebrating at the final whistle while Cameroon's only win since the 1990 World Cup remains a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002.

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